WPC zɼ5p\^#y~x5!kRf$M]HH@oR$U/Y V0|kA׋v]Tt΅AJ[x5uԨuB\~V>% \麠*/~͐|ww+sWTII SBX\ !v >'9 i%"Ӿ:* >,o}m>~ Ȅ9<-+ ŋ:Ǔȼ W+74ͼzp+,ױcϓstigދCqleLzieSlW:PĠE8Ƌw$ T O)+La㇣T9Lm0 ycK;B`[u oΘ/$O҇)</~#BroPLr*# LU:W % 0w@4= 0H; 0D    U8 U8 U8:U: 0D"fU:jjjjjjjjjjj AQ 0D 0D BCC D/`` B D3HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,,,,,,0nLh,  AZ"Arial RegularX(<$XTR[A' Legal[A' LegalA' LegalA' LegalT7XXdXXd7    9d:D;U<U=D>e?D@A BӀu[%3|xK 3  Q!$X   1    XXTherecordreflectsthatWalkerinitiallyreceivedtreatmentfromDr.Parsons,butbeganseeing  Dr.Thomas,whowasinthesamepracticegroup,inJuneof1994.((3Q!$ >>>=XXdd=Br )<,(j 8` `@E  ` 8ttxPX  rߛB@ INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  @*ATNASHVILLE  @HH/SHARONWALKER,   8   )   80   0      8   >>)  FILED:December21,1998>>    >>Plaintiff/Appellant>>   8   )       0      8   )  MAURYCIRCUIT   V.  0      8   )     0      8   )  HON.JIMT.HAMILTON,   SATURNCORPORATION, 8   )  JUDGE     0      8   ) >>Defendant/Appellee>> 8   )  No.01S019703CV00048 h`   0      8   )  0      8   )>>>>Forthe>>Plaintiff/Appellant:>>   8     Forthe>>Defendant/Appellee:>>  >>J.AnthonyArena     8     ThomasH.>>Peebles>>,IV>>  >>>>Schulman>>,LeRoy&Bennett,P.C.    DanaC.>>McLendon>>>> ~v >>Nashville,Tennessee   8     >>Waller>>,>>Lansden>>,>>Dortch>>&Davis>> d\   0      8     >>Columbia,Tennessee>>  0      8       0   0      8     @- fMXXOPINION #XXfM% #Ԉ \0T). >>>>REVERSED 0      8     >9 P 9>> WegrantedtheplaintiffsmotionforfullcourtreviewoftheSpecial>>Workers>>CompensationAppealsPanelsfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawtodeterminewhetherthePanelerredindeciding:(1)thattheevidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsfindingthatplaintiffsufferedapermanentpartialdisabilitytotherightarm;and(2)>>that>>theevidencepreponderatesagainstaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytotheplaintiffsleftarm.Forthereasonscontainedherein,weconcludethatthePanelerredinfindingnopermanentdisabilitytotherightarmandinreducingthedisabilitytoherleft>>armtosixtypercent.>>Accordingly,thedecisionofthePanelisreversedandthetrialcourtsjudgmentisaffirmed.>>>>@+ BACKGROUND   >>>> Theplaintiff,SharonWalker,wasthirtythreeyearsoldatthetimeoftrialandhadbeenemployedbySaturnCorporationsinceitopeneditsSpringHillplantin1990.Shewasemployedasamemberofawork>>team, >> andhertasksincludedinstalling < 4 seatbeltsandseatrampsintonewautomobilesandinsertingnumerousscrewsintocar>>frames.Those>>activitiesrequiredtherepetitiveuseofpowertools.OnApril22,1994,WalkerreportedtotheSaturnMedicalDepartmentcomplainingofpaininherleftwristandnumbnessinherlefthand,thumb,andfingers.ShewaseventuallyreferredtoDr.PaulParsonsandDr.PaulThomasfortreatment.  #  1       8)0"& >>>> Dr.Parsonsdiagnosedtheplaintiffsconditionastenosynovitisandfollowedaconservativetreatmentregimen.ThattreatmentprovedunsuccessfulandwhentheplaintiffsawDr.ThomasonJune13,1994,shecomplainedofpersistentleftthumbpain.Hefoundthatshehad leftthumbDequervains>>>>stenosising>>>>tenosynovitisandrecommendedsurgerytoreleasethepressurefromthetendons.Dr.Thomas 4,2 performedsurgeryonJune15,>>1994,>>and>>followingphysicaltherapy,theplaintiff>>returnedtoworkonSeptember14,>>1994,>>withrestrictionsontheuseofherlefthand. >> On>>October26,1994,plaintiffcomplainedtotheSaturnMedicalDepartmentofnumbnessandtinglinginherrightwrist.ShereturnedtoDr.ThomaswithcomplaintsofpaininherrightthumbandstatedthatitworsenedwithheractivitiesatSaturn.OnJanuary26,1995,Dr.Thomasdiagnosedtheplaintiffwith rightwristDequervainsstenosising tenosynovitisandplacedheronpermanentrestrictions>>againstrepetitive>>   thumbactivitiessuchasgraspingorpinching.Hehopedthatthepermanentrestrictionswouldavoidanyfurtherproblemswiththe>>employeesright>>>>arm.>> >> Ms.Walker>>againvisitedDr.ThomasonMarch16,1995,complainingofnumbnessinthefourthandfifthfingersofherlefthand.Dr.Thomasbelieved>>she>>hadaprobableentrapmentoftheulnarnerveinherleftelbow,adiagnosiswhichwaslaterconfirmedwithnerveconductionstudies.Afterconservativetreatmentfailed,Dr.Thomasagainperformedsurgery,thistimeatranspositionoftheulnarnerveoftheplaintiffsleftelbow. >> Dr.>>Thomastestifiedbydepositionthatthetenosynovitisinplaintiffs>>wrists>>wascausedbyherworkatSaturn.Heopinedthat>>theplaintiff>>wasabletowork,providedsheobservedthepermanentrestrictionofnorepetitiveuseofthethumbsforpinchingorgrippingandavoidedtheuseofpowertools.Healsosaidthattheplaintiffshouldavoidrepetitivebendingofherleftelbow.UsingtheAMAguidelines,Dr.Thomasdeterminedthattheplaintiffsufferedathreepercentpermanentimpairmentto>>her>>left>>upperextremity.>>Dr.Thomastestifiedoncrossexaminationthatanothermethodofevaluatingthepermanentimpairmentcouldresultinanimpairmentratingofsix percenttotheleftarm.Dr.Thomasdidnotassignanimpairmentratingtothe 5.4 plaintiffsright>>wristorhand,>>statingthathercomplaintsinthatregardhadbeensporadic.  >> On>>February6,1996,Dr.DavidGawperformedanindependentmedicalexaminationontheplaintiff.HereviewedrecordsfromDr.ParsonsandDr.Thomas,andmedicalrecordsfromSaturnCorporation.Relyinguponthatinformation,aswellashisownexamination,hedeterminedthatMs.Walkersufferedafivepercentpermanentimpairmenttoherleftupperextremityasaresultofthetenosynovitisintheleftthumbandwrist.Atenpercentpermanentimpairmentresultedfromtheulnartransposition,culminatinginacombinedfifteenpercentimpairmenttoherleftupperextremity.InaccordwithDr.Thomas,Dr.Gawstatedthattheplaintiffshouldavoidrepetitiveuseofherleftelbowandwrist.HefoundnopermanentimpairmenttoherrightarmbecauseMs.Walkerdidnotreport anyhistoryofproblemswiththat.Headmitted,however,thattherecordshereviewedcontainedplaintiffscomplaintsaboutherright>>wristandthumb.>> >> Rebecca>>Williams,avocationalspecialist,testifiedthatsheevaluatedtheplaintiffonAugust1,1996,toassessanyvocationaldisability>>Ms.Walker>>sufferedfromherinjuries.Ms.WilliamstestifiedthatsheconsideredtheplaintiffslimitationstobothhandsandleftelbowpertherestrictionsfromDr.ThomasandDr.Gaw.Shecharacterizedtheplaintiffsjobasunskilledlaborandsaidthatherpreviousskillsfrombartendingandwaitressingwerenontransferableandoflittleuseinanyotherjob.Ms.Walker>>previouslyobtained>>aGEDandhadattendedsomecollegeandvocationalclasses,specificallyreceivingtraininginkeypunch,anowobsoletemethodofcomputerdataentry.  >> 3,2  The>>plaintiffsreading,spelling,andmathskillswerepoorforherage.Followingadexterityexamination,Ms.Williamsfoundthattheplaintifflackeddexterityinbothhands,which>>she>>consideredadisablingfactor. >>>> Because>>the>>>>plaintiffhad>>notransferablejobskillsandsignificantphysicallimitations,Ms.Williamsopinedthattheplaintiffhadnoreasonableexpectationofemploymentinthelocaljobmarket.Ofthe10,980jobsinMauryCountyforwhichplaintiffwasqualified,only348wereavailabletoher>>because>>ofherdisability.Thenumber 348"representedthenumberofjobsandnotthenumberofpositionsactuallyopen.>>ConsideringMs.>>Walkerseducationlevelandlackofacquiredjobskills,combinedwiththepermanentrestrictionsonbothhandsandherleftelbow,Ms.Williamstestifiedthattheplaintiff>>had>>aninetysevenpercentoccupationaldisability.>>>> Theplaintifftestifiedthatherworkattheautomobileassemblyplaintrequiredrepetitiveactivitywithherwristandelbow,includingextensiveuseofpowertoolsduring>>her>>entiretenhour>>shifts.>>Whileshehadpreviouslyworkedasabartenderandwaitress,shetestifiedthatshecouldnolongerperformthosejobsbecausetheyrequiredexcessiveuseofherwristsandelbow.>>>> Followingthefirstsurgeryonherwrist,theplaintiffsaidthatshehadbeenunabletoreturntoworkasafullyfunctionalteammemberbecauseofthepermanentrestrictions.>>> >>>  #  2      >>InspiteofutilizingtheplacementprocessatSaturn,Ms.Walkerwas ,%* unabletofindanotherjobattheplantwhichshecouldperformgivenherrestrictions.ShetestifiedthatshewasplacedonlongtermdisabilityleaveMay10,>>1996,>>andhadnotworkedsincethen.She>>had>>neverdoneanyworkthatdidnotinvolverepetitiveuseofthethumbsorbendingoftheelbow.Inadditiontoexperiencingpaininher 3,2 handsandwrist,theplaintifftestifiedthattheextensionofherleftarmislimited,whichaffectsherabilitytodohouseworkandplaysports.>>>> Thetrialcourtfoundthattheplaintiffsufferedaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytobotharmsandgrantedhermotionforalumpsumaward.Uponreview,thePanelfoundthattheexpertmedicaltestimonydidnotsupportafindingofanypermanentimpairmenttoherupperrightextremity.>>The>>Panel>>alsodetermined>>thatthetrialcourtsawardofaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytotheplaintiffsleftarmwasexcessiveandnotsupportedbytheevidence.The>>Panel>>reducedtheawardbaseduponafindingthattheplaintiffhadsustainedasixtypercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytoherleftarm.>>>>@, ANALYSIS   >>>> Webeginouranalysisbystatingafewwellsettledprinciples.OurreviewofthefindingsoffactmadebythetrialcourtisXXXXdenovo#XXXX,5#Ԁupontherecordofthetrialcourt, " accompaniedbyapresumptionofcorrectness,unlessthepreponderanceoftheevidenceisotherwise.Tenn.CodeAnn.>>506225(e)(2)>>(Supp.1998).Becausetheissueandextentofapermanentvocationaldisabilityarequestionsoffactforthetrialcourttodetermine,wealsoreviewthoseissuesundertheXXXXdenovo#XXXX6#Ԁstandardofreview. <)4"& Jaskev.MurrayOhioMfg.Co.Inc.,750S.W.2d150,151(Tenn.1988);Corcoranv.  +$( FosterAutoGMC,Inc.,746S.W.2d452,458(Tenn.1988).Inourreview,wearenot ,%* boundbythetrialcourtsfactualfindings,butratherexaminethemindepthandconductanindependentexaminationtodeterminewherethepreponderanceoftheevidencelies.Gallowayv.MemphisDrumServ.,822S.W.2d584,586(Tenn.1991). <24+0  >> 4-2 >> Withtheforegoinginmind,wefirstconsiderwhethertheevidencesupported thetrialcourtsfindingthattheplaintiffhadsustainedapermanentpartialdisabilitytoherrightupperextremity.ThePanelfoundnodisabilitytotherightarmbecausethemedicalexpertsdeclinedtofindanypermanentXXXXanatomical#XXXX:#Ԁimpairmenttothe l d plaintiffsrightwristorhand.However,webelievetherewas>>other>>evidencewithinthe>>recordsufficient>>tosupportthetrialcourtsfindingofpermanentindustrialdisabilitytoplaintiffsrightupperextremity.>>>> Ananatomicalimpairmentratingisnotalwaysindispensabletoatrialcourtsfindingofapermanentvocationalimpairment.SeeNewmanv.NationalUnionFire 80 Ins.Co.,786S.W.2d932,934(Tenn.1990);Corcoran,746S.W.2dat457.Infact,  anatomicalimpairmentisdistinctfromtheultimateissueofvocationaldisabilitythatthetrialcourtmustassess.Wilkesv.ResourceAuth.ofSumner>>County,>>932S.W.2d  458,463(Tenn.1996);Perkinsv.EnterpriseTruckLines,Inc.,896S.W.2d123,125 h` (Tenn.1994).Anemployeeshouldnotbedeniedcompensationsolelybecausesheisunabletopresentawitnesswhowilltestifytotheexactpercentageofhermedicalimpairment.Corcoran,746S.W.2dat457.Asaresult,thePanelerredinfindingno #  disabilitytotheplaintiffsright>>arm>>basedsolelyonthelackofananatomicalratingtothatscheduledmember.>>>> Incontrast,theevidenceestablishedthatMs.Walkerhasadisablingconditioninherrightwristandhand.OnAugust11,1993,Dr.Parsonsnotedinplaintiffsmedicalrecordsthatshehad alittlebitofDequervainsextensortenosynovitisintherightwrist.PlaintifflaterreportedproblemswithherrightwristtotheSaturnMedicalDepartmentinOctoberof1994.Then,onJanuary26,1995,Dr.Thomasdiagnosedtheplaintiffwith rightwristDequervainsstenosisingtenosynovitis. 5.4  Dr.Thomascharacterizedtheconditionas chronicandwentontosaythatgraspingorpinchingactivitiesatworkwouldworsenhersymptoms.Asaresult,Dr.Thomasplacedheronpermanentrestrictionsagainstrepetitivethumbactivitiessuchasgraspingorpinching.Dr.Thomascharacterizationoftheconditionas chronicandtheplacementofpermanentrestrictionsontheuseofherrightthumbissufficientto>>prove>>thatplaintiffsthumbandwristconditionimpairedherabilitytouseherrightarmandthattheconditionwaspermanent.SeeHillv.RoyalIns.Co.,937S.W.2d   873,876(Tenn.1996)(basingpermanentimpairmentontheimpositionofpermanentrestrictionswherenoanatomicalimpairmentwasgiven).>>>> Thesecondissuehasbeenredefinedbyourdeterminationthattheplaintiffsufferedapermanentimpairmenttoherrighthand.Theproperinquirynowiswhethertheevidencepreponderatesagainstthe>>percentageofpermanent>>partialdisabilityto>>bothofplaintiffs>>armsassessedbythetrialcourt.ThePanelreducedthetrialcourtsindustrialdisabilityratingtoherleftarmbecauseofthe>>small>>anatomicalimpairmentratingandbecauseofitsconclusionthattheproofshowedanimpairmentonlyofherabilitytoworkatSaturn.Inreachingitsdecision,thePanelfailedtoconsiderrelevantevidenceregarding>>howMs.>>Walkersearningcapacityhadbeendiminishedintheopenlabormarket.>>>> ThePanelcorrectlyheldthatavocationalimpairmentismeasurednotbywhethertheemployeecanreturntoherformerjob,butwhethershehassufferedadecreaseinherabilitytoearnaliving.SeeCorcoran,746S.W.2dat458.ThisCourt .', statedinCorcoranthatavocationaldisabilityresultswhen theemployeesabilityto \0T). earnwagesinanyformofemploymentthatwouldhavebeenavailabletohiminanuninjuredconditionisdiminishedbyaninjury.>>Id.>>at459. 3,2  >> 5.4 >> Inassessingtheextentofanemployeesvocationaldisability,thetrialcourt mayconsidertheemployeesskillsandtraining,education,age,localjobopportunities,anatomicalimpairmentrating,andhercapacitytoworkatthekindsofemploymentavailableinherdisabledcondition.Tenn.CodeAnn.>>506241(b)>>(Supp.1998);Worthingtonv.ModineMfg.Co.,798S.W.2d232,234(Tenn.1990); 80 Robersonv.LorettoCasketCo.,722S.W.2d380,384(Tenn.1986).Further,the   claimantsownassessmentofherphysicalconditionandresultingdisabilitiescannotbedisregarded.Uptain>>>>Constr>>.>>Co.v.McClain,526S.W.2d458,459(Tenn.1975);   TomStillTransferCo.v.Way,482S.W.2d775,777(Tenn.1972).Thetrialcourtis h` notboundtoacceptphysiciansopinionsregardingtheextentoftheplaintiffsdisability,butshouldconsideralltheevidence,bothexpertandlaytestimony,todecidetheextentofanemployeesdisability.Hinsonv.WalMartStores,Inc.,654  S.W.2d675,677(Tenn.1983).>>>> TheevidenceshowedthattheplaintiffcouldnotreturntoheractivitiesattheSaturnfacility.>>The>>testimonyofRebecca>>Williams>>>>also>>establishedthatMs.WalkersdisabilityseverelyhamperedherabilitytoearnalivingintheopenlabormarketinMauryCounty.>>>> Finally,weconsidertheplaintiffsownassessmentofhercondition.Shetestifiedthatsheisnolongerabletoperformthefortyorfiftyjobsthatshehasdoneinhercareerintheautomobilemanufacturingindustrybecauseoftherestrictionontherepetitiveuseofherelbowandthumbs.Likewise,theplaintifftestifiedthatalthoughshehasworkedasabartenderandwaitress,shecouldnolongerworkasabartenderorwaitressbecauseofthedemandthosejobsplaceonherwristsandelbow.Theplaintiffhasneverdoneanyworkthatwouldnotrequirerepetitiveuseofherthumbsforgrippingorrepetitivebendingofthe>>elbow.>> 706 Ї Althoughthemedicaltestimonydidnotestablishagreatpercentageofanatomicalimpairment,thetrialcourtobviouslygavesubstantialcredencetothetestimonyofthevocationalexpert>>regardingMs.>>Walkersabilitytowork.Therecordonappealdoesnotpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsfindings.>>>> Inview>>ofMs.>>Walkerslimitedtraining,hereducation,considerablemedicalrestrictions,lackoftransferablejobskills,andthelocaljobopportunities,theplaintiffscapacitytoworkinareaspreviouslyavailabletoherhasbeensignificantlyreducedbyhercurrentdisability.Accordingly,weconcludethatthetrialcourtsfindingofaneightyfivepercentpermanentpartialdisabilitytobotharmsissupportedby>>the>>preponderanceoftheevidence.Therecordindicatesthattheemployer,SaturnCorporation,complainedbeforethePaneloftheproprietyofthetrialcourtsjudgmentcommutingtheemployeesdisabilityawardtoalumpsumpayment.ThePaneldidnotaddressthatissueonthemerits.>>BecauseSaturn>>hasnotraisedthatissuebeforeus,>>we>>willnotaddressitatthistime.Thejudgmentofthetrialcourtisaffirmedinallrespects.CostsaretaxedtoSaturnCorporation.  0      8     _______________________________  0      8     WilliamM.Barker,Justice>>>>>>CONCUR:>>Anderson,C.J.,Birch,Holder,JJ.Drowota,J.,not>>participating̜A 706  P     A::A;;@>>$/XXSUPREMECOURT,NASHVILLE#XX/}\#Ԉ  @HH/SHARONWALKER,   8   )   d \   0      8   )   JB  Plaintiff/Appellant   8   )  MAURYCIRCUIT 0(    0      8   )  NO.6647Below   V.  0      8   )     0      8   )  NO.>>01S01>>9703CV00048   SATURNCORPORATION, 8   )       0      8   ) Defendant/Appellee. 8   )  SpecialWorkersCompensation     0      8   )  AppealsPanelReversed zr   0      8   )A88A A88A 0 A88A  A88A  A88A 8 A88A  A88A)<<@TT,JUDGMENTA88A  A88AA88A ThiscasewasheardupontherecordonappealfromtheSpecialA?w?A@W@orkersCompensationAppealsPanel,pursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.50625(e)(5)(B)(>>Supp>>.1997),andinconsiderationthereof,thisCourtisoftheopinionthatthetrialcourtsfindingofaneightyfive(85)percentpermanentpartialdisabilitytoappellantsbotharmsissupportedbythepreponderanceoftheevidence. Inaccordancewiththeopinionfiledherein,itis,therefore,orderedandadjudgedthatthejudgmentofthePanelisreversed8,8andthecaseisremandedtothetrialcourtforexecutionofthisCourtsjudgmentandforthecollectionofcosts. Costsofthisappealwillbetaxedtotheappellee,SaturnCorporation,forwhichexecutionwillissueifnecessary.b12/21/98A=̛̛=>>